The subtitle for Marjane Satrapi's highly personal animated film "Persepolis" might as well be "Iranians: They're Just Like Us." They lose their keys, dance to "Eye of the Tiger," endure rocky relationships.
Satrapi, an Iranian who now lives in France, said her mission was to share with Westerners her stories of how life was lived during the Islamic revolution, and what went on just out of sight of the "guardians," police enforcers of religious principles.
The film, largely in black and white, is based on Satrapi's two graphic novels of the same name. Co-written and co-directed by Vincent Parronaud, it features Chiara Matroianni as the voice of Marjane, Catherine Deneuve as her mother, and Danielle Darrieux as her dynamic grandmother.
Satrapi, dressed in flowing black, stabbed her lit cigarette in the air to emphasize points as she talked about the movie in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
PARIS, FRANCE -- A ban on smoking in hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes went into effect at the start of the new year on Tuesday. Smoking was already banned in offices, schools, airports, hospitals, train stations and other public places. Health Minister Roselyn Bachelot has repeatedly warned that the cafe ban will be strictly enforced.
